The Study on Development of Thai Red Cross on Grievance Relief Mission via Incrementalism Model

Abstract

The crucial question of this research is how the development of the Thai Red Cross on grievance relief mission via the Incrementalism Model. The main objectives of the research are to explore the policy of Thai Red Cross on a grievance relief mission under humanitarian principles, examine the mentioned mission from the perspective of the Incrementalism Model, and propose appropriate development approaches. The researcher adopts a qualitative methodology by conducting a documentary research approach in conjunction with in-depth interviews, using 17 interviewees whose responsibilities are related to the Thai Red Cross missions. The research generates three critical findings. 

The first finding, In policy, the Thai Red Cross prioritizes independence and flexibility as the organization’s policies so that the organization will possess contemporary adjustment ability to cooperate with the Thai government in grievance management in any circumstance. The organization structure depends on the committee as an executive position responsible for policy-making and related grievance management. In policy-making stage, the committee accentuates cooperation under the diversity of each Committee member’s opinion. Additionally, the Thai Red Cross expands its grievance relief mission to two main channels covering all areas of the country with speedy processes. The first channel is the Relief and Community Health Bureau operates under the Thai Red Cross. The second channel is the Thai Red Cross provincial office affiliated with the Ministry of Interior.

The second finding of this research is that the evolution of the Thai Red Cross on the grievance relief mission illustrates a gradual development regarding the changing environment that can be divided into five paradigms. the grievance relief mission in this generation primarily concerned wars’ consequences; 1893 – 1946, the grievance relief mission leveled up from war-related issues to public disaster management in specific area approaches;1947 – 1976, humanitarian principles appeared in grievance management; 1977 – 2002,  a proactive approach to grievance relief played a vital role; 2003 – 2011 and  the trend in the grievance relief mission has focused on an integrated approach combined with technological advancement for the goal of sustainability; 2012 onwards.  Lastly, as the third finding, the Thai Red Cross continue to use Technology as Institutional collaborative mechanism. This research suggests that a proper approach for the Thai Red Cross to deal with the country’s grievance relief mission effectively is to enlarge its grievance management function as an independent organization. To do so, the Thai Red Cross provincial office should play a more proactive role with explicit duty and responsibility for both the offices and its officers. The structure of the Thai Red Cross provincial office should be more systematic with legit authorization. There should be a standard volunteer training system for public disaster management in specific areas approaches. Besides, initiating an independent fund to facilitate public disaster management in certain areas will benefit the Thai Red Cross provincial office’s grievance management mission. The researches above suggestions support the principles of transparency and public participation as a tool to foster the Thai Red Cross on a grievance relief mission.